Christmas time is music time: The Twelve Days of Christmas: Pop Up and We Wish You a Merry Christmas [Review & Giveaway - USA/CANADA]

Through the years, I think my favorite "feel good" part of Christmas is the beautiful music. I prefer the classic music of the season - secular and religious. First of all I love the beautiful Christmas carols that tell us the story of the birth of the Saviour, Jesus Christ. And then I love the haunting and yet cheerful music that the secular world has enveloped the holidays in.

Children relish the opportunity to joyfully sing all these wonderful songs.  Here are a couple of books that bring some of the fun, joyful singing to the season.

The Twelve Days of Christmas (Panorama Pops) - Candlewick Press

My thoughts:  This is such a charming little treasure. The way it is designed is really unusual in that it unfolds like an accordion with the first six "days" on side one and the days seven through twelve on the reverse. Each day has a cute cutout that lifts as the page is turned or the accordion fold spread out. The pictures are beautifully drawn and painted lending a quality that spans the years in which you can treasure the little book.

Small and compact at approximately 4"x4" with its protective sleeve, this is a fun book to own and keep for enjoying year after year.

About the book: Enjoy gorgeous art by an award-winning illustrator in this enchanting 3-D rendition of a beloved Christmas carol.

On the first day of Christmas

my true love sent to me . . .

Unfurl a delightful accordion-fold book to find a turtle dove rising on the wing, a sprightly lord a-leaping from the page, and many more elements of the familiar seasonal song. Featuring the captivating art of Grahame Baker-Smith, this Christmas keepsake tucks back into a slipcase until the next holiday season.

Sing Along With Me! We Wish You A Merry Christmas - Nosy Crow Publishing

My thoughts: Charming! Sweet! Moveable tabs on each page allow child interaction. While the music isn't with the book, you can scan the QR Code that takes you right to the sweet rendering of the song on the Nosy Crow website.

This is a sturdy board book suitable for ages 2-5 and delightfully illustrated. The folks at Nosy Crow know children and children's books!

Watch the short video below to get an idea how charming the book is.

GIVEAWAY

2 Winners each win a set of 2 books

Begins November 22

Ends December 8 @ 12:01 a.m. EST

Open to USA and CANADA addresses
NO P.O. Boxes, please.

a Rafflecopter giveaway 
DISCLOSURE: I received complimentary copies from Candlewick Press to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own and are freely given.

Candlewick Press has new Podcast featuring Candlewick authors & a super 6- book giveaway [USA/CANADA]

Candlewick Press Presents a new podcast about the storytellers behind your favorite children’s books. The show will air weekly over the summer on iTunes and Stitcher from 6/8 until 8/31.

Who will be the guests on these Candlewick Press Presents Podcasts? Look at this fabulous list......

You and your children can listen weekly to hear what these award winning authors are saying about their work and themselves.

And because this is such a special occasion and launching, Candlewick is offering Chat With Vera readers the opportunity to subscribe on either Stitcher or iTunes to listen to the podcasts at one of the links provided in the Rafflecopter entry widget below.

What books are in the Chat With Vera & Candlewick 6-book giveaway (to a SINGLE winner)? Hey! The prize pack also includes a Candlewick Podcast Pen!

1. Journey http://www.candlewick.com/cat.asp?browse=Title&mode=book&isbn=0763660531&pix=y
2. Out of Wonder http://www.candlewick.com/cat.asp?browse=Title&mode=book&isbn=076368094X&pix=y
3. The Impossible Rescue http://www.candlewick.com/cat.asp?browse=Title&mode=book&isbn=0763650803&pix=y
4. Big Mean Mike http://www.candlewick.com/cat.asp?browse=Title&mode=book&isbn=0763649902&pix=y
5. Growing Up Pedro http://www.candlewick.com/cat.asp?browse=Title&mode=book&isbn=0763668249&pix=y
6. The Whale http://www.candlewick.com/cat.asp?browse=Title&mode=book&isbn=0763679658&pix=y

The giveaway would be for a 6 title prize pack and a Candlewick Podcast pen. Entries are for anywhere in the US or Canada.

GIVEAWAY ~ 6 Books & Pen

Begins June 8

Ends June 29 at 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA & CANADA addresses.

No P.O. Boxes.

a Rafflecopter giveaway DISCLAIMER:  I was provided a complimentary set of books which will be donated to a local school library. This post is to facilitate informing my readers of the Candlewick Press Podcast opportunity. Prize pack is provided by Candlewick Press and shipped directly by Candlewick to the winner.